Artificial limb.



G. L. MGFARLAND.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1914.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

: INVENT ATTORNEYS S E s S E N H W CLYDE L. MGFARLANI), 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914:.

Application filed June 2, 1914. Serial No. 842,348.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLYDE L. MoFAR- LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Artificial Limb, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of improvements in artificial limbs, the same embodying a universal joint for the ankle and foot members thereof, the same being adapted to connect said members and permit freedom of motions of the same.

It consists also of means for limiting the side motions of the foot and ankle members, one on the other.

it consists also of details of construction, as will be hereinafter described.

The invention is satisfactorily illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but the important features thereof may be varied so long as they are within the scope of the claims, and so it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the portion of an artificial limb embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a horizon tal section thereof on the line wm Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section of a portion on the line y-y Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :1 designates the ankle member of an artificial limb, and 2 designates the foot member thereof.

3 designates a ball with which is connected the stem at, the latter rising therefrom and passing vertically through the member 1.

5 designates a socket which receives the ball 3 and from which depends the stem 6, the latter passing vertically through the adjacent portion of the foot member 2, said stems having threaded ends to which are fitted the nuts 7 respectively, the same engaging with the respective portions of the ankle and foot members for securing the stem tightly to said portions, it being seen that the ball and socket occupy the recess 8 in the base of the ankle member 1 serving to connect said members 2 and 1 and form a universal joint therefor, said socket being designed also to receive a lubricant without liability to escape therefrom, and so the joint may be practically and properly 1u-' bricated.

On the upper side of the foot member 2, is the face plate 9 preferably metal on which rests the underside of the socket 5, and which is formed with an opening through which passes the upper portion of the stem 6, as a firm support therefor in the foot member. To said plate forward of said socket is secured the pillar or post 10 which rises from the same and is adapted to enter the recess 11in the underside of the ankle member 1, it being noticed that said recess widens in upward direction so as to be quadrant-shape and flare from its base upwardly whereby either member 2 or 1 in walking may turn in lateral direction limited by the post and the side walls of the recess, as stops positively sustaining said members in their lateral motions to the limited extent preventing fracture or breakingoff of either member from the other.

Interposed between the members 1 and 2 about the heel portion of the foot is the Vertically-extending springs 12 which occupy recesses 13 in said members, and which are compressed on the backward motion of the limb. Forward of said springs 12 are the vertically arranged springs 14: which occupy recesses 15 in the members 1 and 2, and

which are compressed on the side motions of the limb all for evident purposes.

The foot is composed of the bod 16 of wood and the toe portion 1; of felt, thus rendering the foot strong and durable with a proper degree of pliability avoiding the objectionable feature of soft rubber for such purpose.

The recess in the bottom of the ankle member 1 that is occupied by the ball and socket members, has its top strengthened by the plate 18 through which passes the stem 4 of the ball member 3, thus steadying said stem in the ankle member and strengthening its connection therewith. The base of said recess is closed by a portion of the face plate 9 on the upper side of the foot member 2, it being noticed that the stem 6 of the socket member 5 has on its upper end at the place of junction with the under side of the bottom of said socket member 5, a shoulder which is seated flat on said portion of the face plate thus steadying said socket member in its position, while the stem 6 is also braced by said face plate and so rendered portion strong in its connection with the foot memher 2. it will be noticed also that the stem d is integral with the ball member 3, and the stem 6 is integral with the socket member 5, thus avoiding separate plates, and screws and bolts for connecting the stems with the respective members especially the socket member.

In assembling the universal joint the socket thereof is sufficiently open to admit the ball thereinto after which the upper rim of said socket is swaged or turned inwardly forming a rim which is of less diameter than the central diameter of the ball as to overhang the corresponding upper portion of the ball, thus preventing subsequent separation of said socket and ball, while, however, preserving the nature of said joint, this feature also serving to prevent the loss of the lubricant from the socket.

laving thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an artificial limb, a universal joint for the ankle and footmembers thereof, the same being composed of a ball and socket, the latter freel 1 receiving the fomer, and stems connected with said socket and ball respectively and integral therewith, one of said stems being; adapted to occupy said ankle member, and the other stem being adapted to occupy said foot members, said stems being provided with means for securing them to the respective members, the open end of said socket member having its wall inturned over the adjacent portion of the ball mem her.

2. In an artificial limb, a ball and socket joint for the ankle and foot members there of, the socket member having at the top an inturned rim integral therewith and of less diameter than the greatest diameter of the ball member and freely inclosing the corresponding upper portion of the ball member and overhanging the same.

3. An artificial limb having ankle and foot members, and a rigid piece on one of said members, the other member having a recess therein adapted to receive said piece freely for limiting positively the side metions of said members one on the other.

CLYDE 1L. MOFARLAND.

Witnesses JOHN A. /VIEDERSHEIM, N. BUSSINGER.

W topics at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. (3. 

